Quantum technologies | Austrade International

Nurtured by collaboration

Australia has more than 30 years of global leadership in quantum research.

Today we have an outsized quantum computing industry. This is nurtured by collaboration between industry, research institutes and academia.

Our quantum ecosystem includes 22 institutions focussed on quantum research.
We are home to more than 20 quantum-focussed startups. This was 3 per cent of the global total in 2023.

Australia welcomes investors who want to help build our world-class quantum industry.

The Australian Government’s National Quantum Strategy 2023 outlines new opportunities for international partnerships. It includes collaborations to grow Australia’s quantum industry. The strategy aims to:

build sovereign capability for future advancements
position Australia as an international destination for quantum talent and investment
support commercialisation.

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Incentives, grants and support

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources administers a suite of business innovation grants and initiatives. These grants and initiatives support research, entrepreneurship and commercialisation.

The National Reconstruction Fund has A$1 billion to finance development of Australia’s industrial capabilities. These include quantum technologies.

The Critical Technologies Challenge Program provides grant funding to support solutions to market-led challenges using quantum technologies.

Individual states and territories offer grants and incentives to support commercialisation. These include:

Western Australia – Innovation Booster Grant
New South Wales – Investment NSW
Victoria – Breakthrough Victoria Fund
Queensland – Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy.

Snapshot

Revenue

Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a hub for quantum research in Australia. They have forecast revenue for Australia’s quantum technology opportunities.

A$2.2 billion

by 2030.

A$6 billion

by 2045.

Sources:

CSIRO, Australia’s quantum technology set for growth, November 2022

The National Quantum Strategy sets out a long-term vision for how Australia will pursue opportunities in quantum technologies. A new National Quantum Advisory Committee will provide guidance. The strategy aims to:

trigger investment and research into quantum technologies
secure access to essential quantum infrastructure and materials
build a skilled and growing quantum workforce
ensure Australian standards and frameworks support national interests
build a trusted, ethical and inclusive quantum ecosystem.

A new A$101 million Australian Government investment in quantum and artificial intelligence will help businesses integrate these technologies into their operations. This includes establishment of Quantum Australia, the National Centre for Quantum Industry Growth as the ‘single front door’ for Australia’s quantum industry.

Australia’s long-term investment in quantum research has created a vibrant ecosystem. Combined public and private investment since 2002 totals A$1 billion (Source: Australia’s Chief Scientist, 2023).

PsiQuantum will establish its Asia-Pacific headquarters and build and operate successive generations of its utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer in Brisbane.
Google is partnering with 4 Australian universities including: Macquarie University; University of Technology Sydney (UTS); University of Sydney and UNSW – on quantum as part of its Digital Future Initiative.
Quantum focused research institutions include: The Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology; Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems; Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology.
The Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre gives researchers access to high-performance computing, quantum and supercomputing facilities.

The Australian Quantum Alliance forms part of the Tech Council of Australia. Its goal is to promote innovation, quantum-related jobs and economic prosperity.